Compensation when your local gas supply explodes in spectacular fashion?

[europa16]

I've been searching t'internet for an answer on this but cannot find one, so hopefully someone with some knowledge can help

 

As you may have read in the papers and seen on the news, the gas supply in our area exploded and took out a pylon with it Power hit after explosion - News - Manchester Evening News

 

Anyway, is it true that you can claim compensation for the supply being interrupted for more than 24 hours? Ours has been off since Monday dinnertime-ish, and doesn't look like it will be back on finally till tomorrow (xmas day). We're not there overnight (staying in a nice warm house with gas central heating ), so we've got no way of letting the National Grid into the property to sort the gas supply out, however I don't understand what they'd need to do...

 

Would any compo be automatic, or would we have to claim, and if so - who from?? Could really do with all the monetary help we can get at the mo'8)

 

Cheers

[treechocred]

The gas leak and subsequent explosion was caused by a poorly maintained gas main pipe. Thats National Grids responsibility so I would start there for Compensation.

 

You can claim for loss of electricity supply if its more then 24 hours, but it depends on the circumstances. Unfortunately in this case, the fire to the pylon was caused by the leaking gas, and not any fault on the Distributors part. Therefore i think it will be unlikely you will get compo for the loss of electricity.

 

But i would defo put the pressure on National Grid, if you are serious about seeking compensation.

[europa16]

Thanks for the info

 

I've managed to get in touch with British Gas, who were quite helpful for once! Apparently any compo due will be paid out by chq from National Grid (like you said) in the next 6 - 8 weeks. Would be nice to know how much, though - that, they didn't tell me